Gate crashers ...

Having cycled 50 miles from Guildford to London, in aid of Book Aid, these two glamourous ladies tried to join us while we were enjoying deliciously cold beers and burgers. In fact they were going to an event a few doors down the road and in any case were far too well dressed for our company.

The cycle ride itself had been really enjoyable, on the whole. I didn't anticipate how hilly the Surrey countryside is - there were two hills in particular which have scarred me for life... the South Downs hadn't properly prepared me for them! And while my lungs were about to explode as I battled with the uphill, I pondered whether the pleasure of the down hill ride outweighed the pain of the climb! Cycling through London was exhilerating with the traffic and I saw a side of the city that I'd never seen before ... however, I'm not in a hurry to repeat it!

I hope you don't mind me cheekily shaking a virtual tin for the Book Aid - for every £2 we raise a book can be sent to a needy library, school or university in sub-Saharan Africa, Palestine and Sri Lanka. I'm sure you appreciate that literacy change lives - please watch this short video to see a difference books make. Thank you for taking the time to read this request ... and if you'd like donate, please click here .... I really appreciate it and apologise for making such an open plea ... hope I haven't overstepped the mark.

(PS for those of you who like stats: 49 miles, climed 2000 ft, average 12.5mph, max speed 33mph)